Randolph School’s End of the Week Notes for May 2, 2008

Celebrations!

Happy Birthday on May 6 to Kelly Johnson and May 9 to Kristin Christensen!

Please note.

These teachers have been selected to join our Randolph staff beginning in 2008-2009:

Chris Wheeler, vocal music (He had been a one year only contract. Now, he has a continuing contract.)

Jennifer Cejda, media specialist (She’ll be half time here and at McPhee, and Mrs. Haeffner will continue half time.)

Laura Deitchler Kroeze First Grade (Hawthorne, grades 4, 1, K)

Keri Keller Second Grade (Hawthorne, grade 2)

Megan Lange Third Grade (new teacher, student taught in Papillion)

Marci Imel-Theis Third Grade (Wesleyan grad. 2001, coming back from teaching in Arizona and Colorado.)

Julie Kirschoff Fourth Grade (Hawthorne, grade 4)

Yet to fill:

.4 FTE of P.E. (Waiting on secondary surplus to be resolved.)

.5 Special Education (new position added to Randolph)

Fifth grade (Mrs. Wiedman is one year only contract. Need to post the vacancy.)

Curriculum and Instruction

Student Summer Opportunities

Come celebrate summer as a season of learning! Bright Lights is offering a broad range of hands-on classes for middle school and elementary aged students. By mid April nearly 60% of the classes for summer 2008 were filled, but over 800 openings were still available. With the end of school a short time away, act now to register for hands-on classes that will explore your area of interest! There are no residency requirements for Bright Lights.

In fun classes, your child can enjoy topics like My Amazing Body (taught by a doctor/nurse team), Digital Photography, Podcasting, Spanish Fiesta in the Caribbean, Cooking, Mummies or Science: Natural Disasters. These classes will help keep student’s brains in gear to avoid the summer slide. Over the summer, children can lose up to two months of reading or math skills. Harvard researcher Jimmy Kim links reading 4-5 books in the summer with increased reading achievement gains.

A Lincoln tradition for over 20 years, check out the 2008 Bright Lights program schedule on-line at www.brightlights.org or call 420-1115. Information is also posted concerning need-based scholarships and free bus transportation. 85% of the over 100 classes and day camps will be held at Randolph Elementary, 37th & D Streets, the weeks of June 9-13, June 23-27, and July 7-11.

Student Music Opportunity

5th Grade Students: Are you looking for an opportunity to sing this summer? Do want to get a jump start on choral music at the middle school level?Please consider participating in the first ever Lincoln Public Schools 5th grade Choral Music Camp that will run from July 21st through the 25th. The camp meets at Irving Middle School and is open to any current LPS 5th grader. Please see your school's vocal music teacher for more information. The last day to sign up is Friday, May 23rd!

Student Information

Teachers and Dr. Bonaiuto will soon begin making classes for next school year. If you have a strong preference for your child to have a particular teacher, please send that preference in writing to Dr. Bonaiuto no later than Friday, May 9^th. Preference would be based on child’s learning style, teacher’s teaching style, and/or previous experience with the teacher. Consideration will also be given to those requests to separate your child from another, if needed. Remember, your requests should be positively stated, and in writing.

Upcoming Events

May 5 GET meets 8:15 a.m.

May 6 National Teacher Recognition Day

PTA 7:00 p.m.

May 7 National School Nurse Day

May 7 LPS Gold Star Banquet

May 8 Technology Planning Committee meets 8:15

May 9 FUN NIGHT

May 12 SIP meets 8:15 a.m.

May 13 Band, Strings, Vocal Concert 7 p.m.

May 15, 16 Fourth Grade Goes to Camp Carol Joy Holling for Outdoor Education camp out!

May 16 RELAY deadline for article submissions

May 19-23 Grade level transition meetings with Dr. Bonaiuto

May 23 Elders’ Day Celebration

May 27 PLC Early Dismissal 2;18

May 30 Students’ Last Day of School!

June 2 Teacher Work Day

June 6 Report cards printed (so need to be completed before Friday.)

June 9-10 NDE’s Positive Behavior Systems Conference

June 16-20 BIST training (FREE) at SW High (Register online at LPS staff development catalog.)